Heat-transfer calculations for a potted (solid matrix embedded) subassembly

Conference · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1984

OSTI ID:6948764

Betten, P R

Standard Liquid Metal Fast Breeder Reactor (LMFBR) subassemblies used in the Experimental Breeder Reactor II (EBR-II) have been investigated for fuel-bundle distortion using a destructive examination method known as potting. The potting technique embeds and permanently fixes the fuel elements in a solid matrix that can be sectioned and polished to reveal details in the internal structure of the elements or subassembly. Thus, an advantage of the potting technique is that it permits investigation of the internal structure of the subassembly in situ, as this structure would be lost or significantly altered during subassembly disassembly. However, since the elements in the subassembly are radioactive, the potting material must efficiently conduct radioactive decay heat to the environment so that the melting or softening temperatures of the potting material are not exceeded. The purpose of this paper is to present the heat transfer calculations for a potted subassembly and to recommend a simplified method for solving similar problems.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Lab., IL (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• OSTI ID: 6948764
• Report Number(s): CONF-840614-2; ON: DE84004004
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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